Image data communications device and method

ABSTRACT

An image data communication apparatus is connected to an image data source and to a network, and transmitting image data attached to an e-mail to a receiving apparatus via the network. The e-mail including a mail from command and a mail message. The image data attached to the e-mail as an openable document. The image data communication apparatus comprises a panel section which inputs a mail address of a user to the image data communication apparatus. The image data communication apparatus comprises a controller which sets the mail address of the user input by the panel section into the mail message of the e-mail to which the image data is attached. Thus, a reply to the e-mail is returned to the mail address of the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/461,402 filed on Dec. 15, 1999. now U.S. Pat. No. 6,710,894. Thepresent invention relates to the subject matter disclosed in JapanesePatent Application No. 11-056493, filed on Mar. 4, 1999, the disclosuresof both of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image data communication apparatussuch as a network facsimile apparatus, and a method of communicating theimage data.

2. Background Information

When a user sends data through a facsimile machine, the data generallycontains a transmitter's identification. The transmitter'sidentification is usually registered at the facsimile machine, and isoverwritten on image data or printed on the upper end of the image datareceived by a recipient. The transmitter's identification is generallyinput to the facsimile machine through its operation panel.Identification data created by a personal computer (PC) can be also sentinto a facsimile machine via the PSTN (Public Switched TelephoneNetwork). On the other hand, registration through E-mail (electronicmail) can be practiced in a network facsimile that communicates througha network such as the Internet.

As discussed above, using a regular facsimile machine, a recipient canidentify who sent a message even it has no name in a “From:” line,because the transmitter's identification is overwritten on the messageor printed on the upper end of the received paper. However, in the caseof the network facsimile, a message does not always arrive at afacsimile machine, but it may arrive at a terminal of a PC or aworkstation, which is capable of receiving E-mail. In such a case, theterminal confirms the arrival of data with E-mail browsing software, andbecause the message is sent as a file attached to the E-mail, arecipient cannot identify who sent the message until the recipient readsthe attached file. When the recipient answers the message through areply function of the browsing software, the answer is always sent backto the facsimile machine that has sent the message. Therefore, if anintended person does not watch the machine for the arrival of an answer,or another person is present at the machine, the answer is sometimesmisplaced or delivered to a wrong address.

Further, a facsimile machine's operation panel does not easily registermulti-digit data such as a mail address, and further, such registeringis time consuming. On the other hand, registration through the PSTNrequires a dedicated program at a PC side, and this method thus has notbecome popular. Registration through E-mail allows a simple inputoperation; however, a format readable by a facsimile machine must beemployed. Thus, the operator must be furnished with some knowledgebefore registering a mail address.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide acommunications device and a method of communication, through which arecipient can identify a transmitter before opening a file attached toan E-mail when the recipient receives the E-mail with E-mail browsingsoftware.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide acommunications device and a method of communication, through which atransmitter can send an answer to an intended person when thetransmitter uses a reply function of the E-mail browsing software.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide acommunications device and a method of communication, where atransmitter's identification can be registered with a simple operationwithout any special knowledge.

A communications device of the present invention comprises the followingelements in order to achieve these objects: an image data creatingsection; an image data sending section for sending image data accordingto an E-mail message transfer protocol; and a register for registering aplurality of identifications of the transmitter. The device alsoincludes an identification sending section for selecting one of theidentifications and sending it through E-mail.

Using the communications device having the elements discussed above,when a transmitter sends image data by E-mail over the Internet, anoperator (in most cases the transmitter is an operator) puts theidentification in a “From:” line for each mail based on thetransmitter's intention. A recipient then can identify the transmitterbefore opening a file attached to the image data. When the recipientanswers the E-mail using a reply function of the E-mail browsingsoftware, this communications device allows the answer data to reach anintended person.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the communicationsdevice does not output the registered data or HTML (Hyper Text MarkupLanguage) document for data input when an unauthorized request isreceived. Such an HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) request comes froma host or an address different from the registered hosts or IP (InternetProtocol) addresses. In response to the unauthorized request, the deviceis prevented from displaying the registered document or registrationscreen. Therefore, the communications device of the present inventionallows an transmitter's identification to be registered or displayedonly when a registered host or a registered IP address holder makes arequest. The identifications are thus kept confidential and are notdisclosed to non-registered hosts and IP addresses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is further described in the detailed descriptionthat follows, by reference to the noted drawings by way of non-limitingexamples of preferred embodiments of the present invention, in whichlike reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the severalviews of the drawing, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communications device inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A shows a default transmitter's identification;

FIG. 2B shows a table of transmitter's identification in accordance withthe exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting an operation for changing transmitter'sname;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting an operation for changing a name and amail address of a transmitter;

FIG. 5A shows a basic mail format, in accordance with the SMTP (SimpleE-mail Transfer Protocol) standard used in the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5B shows a format where a transmitter's name is changed, inaccordance with the SMTP standard used in the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5C shows a format where a transmitter's name and E-mail address arechanged, in accordance with the SMTP standard used in the exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 5D shows a format where the transmitter's name, E-mail address, andmail From command are changed, in accordance with the SMTP standard usedin the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5E shows a format where the transmitter's name, E-mail address, andmail From command are changed, in accordance with the SMTP standard usedin the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5F shows a format where the transmitter's name, E-mail address, andmail From command are changed, in accordance with the SMTP standard usedin the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting an operation in accordance with theexemplary embodiment of the present invention for displaying an inputscreen used for registering the transmitter's identification in atransmitter's ID table;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting an operation in accordance with theexemplary embodiment of the present invention for displaying thetransmitter's identification from the transmitter's ID table;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart depicting an operation in accordance with theexemplary embodiment of the present invention for registering thetransmitter's identification in the transmitter's ID table;

FIG. 9A shows an exemplary transmitter's ID table where identificationshave been registered;

FIG. 9B shows an exemplary host name table where identifications havebeen registered;

FIG. 10 shows an HTML document where the transmitter's IDs are to beregistered in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary exchanging of information between serverson the Internet, in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12A shows a verification procedure of an IP address without a mask,

FIG. 12B shows a verification procedure of an IP address with a mask;

FIG. 12C shows a verification procedure of a host name; and

FIG. 12D show a verification procedures of a host name.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is describedhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communications device inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. LAN(local area network) line 1 is coupled to communications device 2 viaLAN interface 18. Communications device 2 sends and receives image datavia LAN line 1 or PSTN 19, and is provided with facsimile and E-mailsending/receiving functions. In FIG. 1, these functions are integratedand housed into a cabinet, which is called communications device 2.Alternatively, functions and sections can be housed into multiple boxes,which can be integrated into a system to function as communicationsdevice 2. For instance, a PC having a separate scanner and printer canbe used as device 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, communications device 2 comprises the followingelements:

(a) CPU (central processing unit) 3 for controlling the entire operationof device 2;

(b) panel section 4 for setting an operation and controlling theoperation of device 2 through operation keys and buttons;

(c) fax (facsimile) communication section (tx/rc) 5 forsending/receiving data;

(d) recording section (printer/display) 6 for recording the receiveddata on a sheet of paper or displaying the received data on a displaydevice;

(e) scanner 10 for scanning image data to be sent as electrical signals;

(f) coding section (coder/decoder) 7 for coding or decoding image data;

(g) memory 8 for storing transmitters' identifications, image data to besent, and sent mail data; and

(h) ROM (read only memory) 9 for storing an operation program of device2.

Coding section 7 encodes the image data scanned by scanner 10 intobinary data, or decodes the binary data received through E-mail andconverts it into facsimile format. In other words, coding section 7 hasfunctions for converting image data into an E-mail format or facsimileformat, converting each format into the other format, and compressing orde-compressing data when necessary.

Memory 8 comprises the following elements:

(g-1) default transmitter's identification 11;

(g-2) transmitter's ID table 12;

(g-3) host name table 13;

(g-4) IP address table 14;

(g-5) image data storage region 15; and

(g-6) sending mail creating region 16.

The default transmitter's identification 11 stores the transmitter'sname and his/her mail address of the communications device 2 in pairs,and sets transmitter's identifications. Transmitter's ID table 12 storesrespective transmitter's identifications following the defaulttransmitter's identification 11, thus table 12 is capable of storingmultiple transmitter's identifications. Communications device 2 isusually used by multiple users, and when each user uses respectiveidentifications proper to him/her, multiple transmitter'sidentifications are registered. If communications device 2 isexclusively used by one user, multiple transmitter's identificationsneed not to be registered; however, a transmitter's name and mailaddress are the minimum requirement for a transmitter's identification.In addition to these, a company name, telephone number, and fax numbermay be used depending on needs. Therefore, multiple pieces ofinformation are registered at communications device 2 regardless of thenumber of users.

Names of CPUs linked to communications device 2 are registered at hostname table 13 of device 2. In the same manner, IP addresses areregistered at IP address table 14. Image data storage region 15 storesthe image data scanned in with scanner 10. Sending mail creating region16 converts the image data stored in storage region 15 into an E-mailformat, thereby creating image data to be sent by E-mail. A givenoperation at panel section 4 allows CPU 3 to control this E-mail imagedata to send the image data to another communications device 2 via LANline 1 and over the Internet. This procedure is detailed later. Modem 17is connected to fax communication section 5, and sends/receives data viaPSTN 19.

A basic operation of sending/receiving image data in this embodiment isdescribed hereinafter. Sending/receiving image data through E-mail isnow described.

First, set a message to be sent at scanner 10, then input a mail addressof a recipient through operation panel 4. Second, push the start buttonon panel 4, then CPU 3 commences executing the program stored in ROM 9so that scanner 10 reads the message. The image data input by scanner 10is coded into binary data by coding section 7, and stored in image datastorage region 15 in memory section 8. The stored image data isconverted into an E-mail format by sending mail creating region 16.Through this conversion, the image data is converted into 7-bit textcode in accordance with “MIME” (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions),which is well-known as an Internet E-mail standard. The image dataconverted into the E-mail format is sent via LAN line 1 as an E-mailaccording to the E-mail message transfer protocol.

At this time, when an operator does not specify a transmitter'sidentification, the transmitter's identification stored in the defaulttransmitter's identification 11 is attached to this E-mail as a piece ofE-mail information. If the operator operates panel section 4 and sets atransmitter's identification to be attached to this E-mail, or selects aspecific identification among those stored in transmitter's ID table 12,the set or selected identification is attached to the E-mail and sentout. The transmitter's identification is detailed later.

The E-mail information thus produced in sending mail creating region 16is sent to the recipient together with the transmitter's identificationas an E-mail via LAN or over the Internet according to a protocol suchas SMTP. The recipient is thus able to see the transmitter'sidentification on the E-mail without opening an attached file includingthe image data.

On the other hand, when the image data input by scanner 10 is sentthrough a fax machine, the image data is supplied to fax sending section5, and then the image data is sent to a recipient's fax machine via PSTN19. The transmitter's identification has been stored in fax sendingsection 5, and is overwritten on the message or printed on the upper endof the message sheet before the message is sent out.

In the above description, scanner 10 reads the message to produce imagedata; however, the image data can be created on a PC screen and directlyconverted into binary data by coding section 7.

The case when communications device 2 receives the image data is nowdescribed. When device 2 receives the image data in E-mail format viaLAN line 1, the recipient is able to see the image data together withthe transmitter's identification on an E-mail screen. The received imagedata is stored in sending mail creating region 16, and can be printed onpaper as a piece of fax information as well as seen on an E-mail screen.The received image data is converted into binary data, which is a faxformat, in creating region 16, and then decoded into visible data, i.e.,the printable data, by coding section 7. Then the data is printed byrecording section 6. The image data thus received is visible on paper.When the image data is received via PSTN 19 by a regular fax machine,the image data is printed by recording section 6 via fax sending section5 in a usual manner.

A method of creating a transmitter's identification is now described.FIG. 2A shows a default identification of a fax machine, and FIG. 2Bshows a transmitter's identification (ID) table. As shown in FIG. 2A,the default stores a machine's name and address in pairs. A machine'sname is usually shown by using this default and an error mail isreturned to the machine's address also by using this default.

As previously described, communications device 2 is generally used by aplurality of users. When each user establishes his/her own transmitter'sidentification, those identifications must be registered and displayed.FIG. 2B shows an exemplary table where a plurality of users areregistered. The table entries include respective users' names and mailaddresses. A method of registration is described later.

When the users do not specify their own identifications, the defaultshown in FIG. 2A, i.e., the machine's name and mail address assigned tocommunications device 2, is automatically attached to a message to besent. If a transmitter wants to attach an identification other than thatassigned to device 2, e.g., his/her own name and mail address, themachine's identification assigned to device 2 must be changed. In thiscase, it can be changed directly by input through panel section 4, or byusing the transmitter's ID table. The change operation is described withreference to the flowchart in FIG. 3.

In Step 1 (Step is called hereinafter “S”), input a recipient's addressthrough panel section 4. Then, in S2, input whether a transmitter'sidentification should be changed. If the change is needed, select whatis to be changed, i.e., only a name, or a name and address, in S3through panel section 4. When only a name is changed, select whichmethod is taken, i.e., input a new name of the transmitter directlythrough panel 4, or change the name in the transmitter's ID table (referto FIG. 2B) in S4. When the name is input through panel 4, go to S5 andinput the transmitter's name directly. Then, go to S7, where scanner 10reads a message, and set the name as a transmitter's identification inS8. Finally, in S9, send it according to the E-mail transfer protocol.

In S4, when selecting the transmitter's ID table for changing the nameof the transmitter, select his/her own name referring to the table inS6. A method of selecting his/her own name is described later withreference to FIG. 7. Then, follow the same procedure as discussed above,namely, go to S7 where scanner 10 reads the message, and set the name asa transmitter's identification in S8. Finally, send it out in S9.

On the other hand, when selecting not to change the transmitter's ID inS2, use the default (refer to FIG. 2A) as the transmitter'sidentification in S10, then go to S7 and follow the same procedure asdiscussed above.

In the cases discussed above, the default is still used as the E-mailaddress of the transmitter so that an error mail or a reply returns toor reaches communications device 2.

In S3 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, when changing both the name andmail address is selected, the procedure shown in FIG. 4 executes.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting an operation of changing both the nameand mail address. In S11, select the desired method, i.e., input thesetwo factors directly through panel 4, or change these factors in the IDtable. When inputting them directly through panel 4, input the name andmail address directly through panel 4 in S12. Then, in S13 selectwhether the E-mail address designated by the mail From command ischanged. The mail From command is issued between servers, morespecifically, this command is available in the information flow (referto FIG. 11, line 4) between servers, and is usually utilized inreturning an error mail.

In FIG. 11, messages between a mail server R (receiving server) and amail server S (sending server) are shown. “R:” indicates that a messageis from mail server R and “S:” indicates that a message is from mailserver S. The first line indicates that the mail server R is “BBN-UNIX.ARPA,” and that the mail transfer service is ready. The second lineindicates that mail server S is “USC-ISIF. ARPA.” Lines 4 and 5 show themessages relating to the mail sender. Lines 6–11 show the messagesrelating to the mail receiver. Lines 12–17 show the messages relating tothe mail data. Lines 18 and 19 show the messages relating to terminatingthe mail.

In a case of changing the mail From command, change the E-mail addressof the command in the message transfer protocol in S14. Then, go to S7and follows the steps shown in FIG. 3. If the mail From command is notchanged in S13, go to S7 and follow the steps shown in FIG. 3.

On the other hand, when the name and mail address of the transmitter arechanged by using the ID table, change these two factors in the table inS15, and then go to S13 and follow the steps onward. A method ofselecting the transmitter's identification is detailed later withreference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 5A through FIG. 5F show a mail format in accordance with the SMTPstandard. FIG. 5A shows a basic E-mail format. FIG. 5B shows a formatwhere a transmitter's name is changed, and FIG. 5C shows a format wherea name and an E-mail address of the transmitter are changed. FIG. 5Dthrough FIG. 5F show formats where the transmitter's name, E-mailaddress, and the mail From command are changed.

The E-mail format, as shown in FIG. 5A, has the mail From command and amail message. The command indicates the E-mail address of thetransmitter, and a reply to an error mail reaches this mail address. TheE-mail message includes a version number of the MIME, which is one ofthe E-mail standard functions, mail software (X-Mailer:), transmitter'sname (comment) and E-mail address (Mail address), which make up thetransmitter's identification. The E-mail message also includes a“Subject:”, as well as a destination, i.e., “To:”.

FIG. 5B–FIG. 5F show examples of mail formats that have been changedaccording to the transmitter's ID table shown in FIG. 2B. FIG. 5B showsan example where only a transmitter's name of a mail message has beenchanged to “suzuki”. In this case, the mail From command and the E-mailaddress of the mail message remain the default, an error mail isreturned to “fax@aaa.bbb.jp”, i.e., “Internet FAX” as the machine's nameof communications device 2.

FIG. 5C shows an example where the transmitter's name and mail addressare changed to “suzuki”. In this case, an error message is also returnedto “Internet FAX”, i.e., machine's name of communications device 2.

FIG. 5D shows an example where the transmitter's name, E-mail addressand the mail From command are all changed to “suzuki”. In this case, anerror mail is returned to the E-mail address of “suzuki”, thetransmitter, i.e., “usr1@abc.defg.jp”.

FIG. 5E shows an example where the transmitter's name, E-mail-address,and the mail From command are all changed to “MGCS”. As shown in FIG.2B, the transmitter's name “MGCS” does not have a mail address,therefore, a default mail-address, i.e., “fax@aaa.bbb.jp”, is used as amail address. In this case, an error mail is returned to the machine'sname “Internet FAX” of communications device 2.

FIG. 5F shows an example where the transmitter's name, E-mail address,and mail From command are all changed to “usr4@abc.defg.jp”. As shown inFIG. 2B, the E-mail address “usr4@abc.defg.jp” does not have atransmitter, thus “comment” of the transmitter is omitted. In this case,an error mail is returned to the E-mail address “usr4@abc.defg.jp”.

When sending, the transmitter's identification is shown in the text ofthe E-mail message and in the data of the E-mail message transferprotocol. For instance, when the transmitter's identification is theE-mail address, it is shown as a mail address of the transmitter of theE-mail message transfer protocol and a mail address of a “From:” line ina message text. The E-mail address cannot be shown to the E-mailtransfer message protocol, but it can be shown in the E-mail address ofthe “From:” line in the E-mail message because the E-mail address is themail address of the transmission machine itself.

When a transmitter's identification is his/her mail address and his/hername, the identification is notified as a mail address and as a commentin the “From:” line of the E-mail message. When the transmitter'sidentification is his/her name, the identification can be notified as acomment in the “From:” line in the E-mail message.

Next, a method of registering and displaying a transmitter'sidentification is described. FIGS. 6–8 are flowcharts depicting theoperation of registering and displaying the transmitter'sidentification. FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting an operation ofdisplaying an input screen. FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting an operationof displaying registered data. FIG. 8 is a flowchart depicting anoperation of registering the transmitter's identification.

The operation of displaying the input screen for registering thetransmitter's identification is now described. Communications device 2is furnished with an indication (YES/NO) of whether it is necessary toverify a requesting party before outputting a registration form. If YEShas been registered at device 2, the device must be informed of whetherverification by an IP address or by a host name is necessary. Whenverification by IP address is practiced, the IP address must beregistered in advance at the transmitter's ID table, shown in FIG. 9A;when verification by host name is practiced, the host name must beregistered in advance at the host name table, shown in FIG. 9B.

In FIG. 6, first input a password in S20 (Step 20), then determine, whenHTTP protocol makes a request, whether a registration form has beenrequested to be displayed in S21. If the protocol requests theregistration form to be displayed, it is determined in S22, whenverification is necessary, whether a requesting party is alreadyregistered. This verification in S22 allows only a given host alreadyregistered to verify registered information or to register information,and prevents the information from being accessed by other hosts. Theinformation security is thus maintained. When the information isprotected by a firewall and is adequately protected from access byoutsiders, “NO verification” is set in S22.

When “YES verification” is set in S22, determine in S23 whether IPaddress verification is required. If IP address verification isrequired, then determine whether an IP address of the station requestingthe registration form by HTTP protocol agrees with the IP addressalready registered in S24. When the IP addresses agree, output theregistration form in S25. When the IP addresses do not agree, it isdetermined that an outsider is attempting access, and then, issue anerror notice or reject the request and do not output the registrationform in S26. The registering operation thus does not occur.

Because the IP address is attached to the PC terminal or the server thatrequests the registration form, it must be determined whether this IPaddress agrees with the IP addresses already registered at thetransmitter's ID table. This IP address agreement is determined asfollows.

Assume that the IP address and IP mask already registered are thecontent of FIG. 9A. If a PC having IP address “001.001.002.123” requestsoutput of the registration form when the IP mask is not set, thisrequest is accepted because this IP address agrees with that registeredat the transmitter's ID table. On the other hand, if a PC having IPaddress “001.001.002.124” requests the output of the registration form,this request is refused because this IP address does not agree with thatregistered at the transmitter's IDs table. FIG. 12A depicts thisprocedure.

When the IP mask is set as shown in FIG. 9A, the following process ispracticed. If the PC having an IP address of “001.001.001.103” requestsoutput of the registration form, this request is accepted because the IPaddress with the mask agrees with the “001.001.001” portion since the IPmask is “255.255.255.128”. On the other hand, if the PC having an IPaddress of “001.001.001.201” requests the output of the registrationform, this request is refused because the IP address with the mask doesnot agree with the registered IP address. FIG. 12B depicts thisprocedure.

In FIG. 6, when the verification by IP address is not set in S23,determine in S27 whether a host name verification is set. If theverification has been set, determine whether the host name of thestation requesting the output of the registration form by HTTP protocolagrees with the host name already registered at the host name table,shown in FIG. 9B, in S28.

Assume that the host name has been registered as FIG. 9B shows. When thePC having the host name of “pc1.abc.defg.jp” requests the output of theregistration form, as shown in FIG. 12C, this request is acceptedbecause the host name agrees with that registered at the host name tableshown in FIG. 9B. On the other hand, when the PC having the host name of“pc3.abc.defg.jp” requests the output of the registration form, thisrequest is refused because the host name does not agree with thatregistered in the table.

When the workstation having the host name of “ws1.aaa.bbb.jp” requeststhe output of registration form as shown in FIG. 12D, this request isaccepted because the domain of this host name agrees with that of thehost name registered in the host name table. On the other hand, when theworkstation having the host name of “ws2.aab.bbb.jp” requests the outputof the registration form, this request is refused because the domain ofthis host name is not registered in the table and the host name does notagree with the domain of the host name in the host name table.

When the host names agree in S28, output the registration form in S25.When the host names do not agree, issue an error notice, or reject therequest and do not output the registration form in S26. The registeringoperation thus does not occur. If the verification of the requestingparty is not needed in S22, or no verification of the host name has beenset in S27, then output the registration form in S25.

FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of registering and verifying the form byan HTML document. In FIG. 10, “f1” indicates an input area for apassword for registering and displaying, and “f2” as well as “f3”indicate an input area for selecting either registration or display. Aclick selects either one. Clicking “f2” selects a new registration, andclicking “f3” selects display of registered data. Indicated by “f4” isan area for registering/displaying a transmitter's name, and “f5”indicates an area for registering/displaying a mail address. Indicatedby “f6” is an ON/OFF switch, which sets the necessity of changing atransmitter's mail address of E-mail message transfer protocol toYES/NO. Indicated by “f7” is a send switch for sending input data, and“f8” is a canceling switch for erasing the input data.

When displaying registered data, set a password in the password inputarea indicated by “f1”. Next, click the display area indicated by “f3”,and click the send switch indicated by “f7”. Then, registered content isread out and displayed in the registering/displaying area indicated by“f4” and mail address registering/displaying area indicated by “f5”.

When a new registration is required, set a password in the passwordinput area indicated by “f1”, and click the registering/inputting areaindicated by “f2” to select “registration”. Next, input a transmitter'sname in the transmitter's name registering/displaying area indicated by“f4”, and also input a mail address in the E-mail addressregistering/displaying area indicated by “f5”. When changing the E-mailaddress of transmitter of E-mail message transfer protocol, click theON/OFF switch indicated by “f6” to turn ON. Finally, click the sendswitch indicated by “f7” to complete the registration.

Next, the process of displaying the registered data is described. Whenthe step S21 shown in FIG. 6 is not a request for the registration form,move to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 for displaying registered data.First, determine whether S31 has a request through HTTP protocol fordisplaying registered data by the input signal. If S31 has the requestfor displaying the registered data, determine in S32 whetherverification of a requesting party is needed, i.e., whether therequesting party is identified as already registered. If theverification is needed, determine in S33 whether verification ispracticed with an IP address. When the verification with an IP addresshas been set, determine in S34 whether the IP address of the stationrequesting the registered data with HTTP protocol agrees with one of theIP addresses already registered. If the IP addresses agree, determine inS35 whether password verification is needed. If password verification isneeded, determine in S36 whether the password input together with therequest for registered data by HTTP protocol agrees with the passwordalready registered. When the passwords agree, output the registrationform where the transmitter's name of “f4” and mail address of “f5” pairwith registered data in S37.

When the IP address verification is not needed in S33, determine whethera host name must be verified in S38. If the verification is needed,determine whether the host names agree in S39. If the host names agree,go to S35 where the necessity of password verification is determined. Ifthe host name verification is not needed in S38, or the verification ofthe requesting party is not needed in S32, go to S35 where the passwordis verified.

If the IP addresses do not agree in S34, the passwords do not agree inS36, or the host names do not agree in S39, go to S40. Then, issue anerror message or reject the request, and do not output the registrationform.

Next, a process of registering data is described. In S31 of FIG. 7, ifthere is no request to display the registered data, go to the flowchartfor registering data, shown in FIG. 8. First, in S41, determine whetherregistering data is requested. If registering data is requested, thenconfirm whether a verification is needed, i.e., if the requesting partyhas been registered.

Respective steps from S42 to S46 are identical to S32–S36 shown in FIG.7, and S48 and S49 are also identical to S38 and S39 shown in FIG. 7.Their description is thus omitted here.

When the passwords agree in S46, or the password verification is notneeded in S45, register the data in S47. On the other hand, when thereis no request for registering data in S41, go to S50, then, issue anerror notice and do not register data. Also, when the IP address in S44,the password in S46, and the host name in S49 do not agree withrespective counterparts, go to S50.

The communications device of the present invention as discussed abovecomprises the following elements: an image data creating section; animage data sending section for sending an image data according to anE-mail message transfer protocol; a register for registering multipletransmitters' identifications; and an identification sending section forselecting one of the identifications and sending it through E-mail.

Using the communications device having the elements discussed above,when a transmitter sends image data by E-mail over the Internet, thetransmitter puts his/her identification in a “From:” line for each mailbased on an operator's intention. A recipient then can identify thetransmitter before opening a file attached to the image data. When therecipient answers the E-mail using a reply function of the E-mailbrowsing software, this communications device allows the answer data toreach an intended person.

According to an aspect of the present invention this communicationsdevice does not output the registered data or HTML document for datainput when a host other than one registered or an address other than aregistered IP addresses requests, according to the HTTP protocol, toread the registered image or data. Therefore, the communications deviceof the present invention allows a transmitter's identification to beregistered or displayed only when a registered host or a registered IPaddress holder makes a request. The identifications are thus kept secretfrom non-registered hosts and IP addresses.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used arewords of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation.Changes may be made within the purview of the disclosure as presentlystated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention in its aspects. Further, although the invention has beendescribed with reference to particular means, materials, andembodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to theparticulars disclosed herein. For example, requests through protocolsother than HTTP are possible, as are document formats other than HTML.Rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures,methods and uses. Although the present invention has been described inconsiderable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments,other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the scope and spirit of theappended claims should not be limited to the description of thepreferred embodiments contained herein.

1. An image data communication apparatus connected to a network, andtransmitting image data attached to an e-mail to a receiving apparatusvia the network, the e-mail including a mail from command and a mailmessage, the image data communication apparatus comprising: a scannerconfigured to scan image data; a panel configured to input an e-mailaddress of a user to the image data communication apparatus, the panelincluding a start button; and a controller configured to control thescanner to scan the image data and to convert the scanned image datainto a format for e-mail transmission in response to the start buttonbeing operated by the user of the image data communication apparatus,the controller being further configured to set the e-mail address of theuser, input by the panel, into the mail message of the e-mail to whichthe image data is attached, the e-mail address of the user beingdistinct from an e-mail address of the image data communicationapparatus, whereby the e-mail address of the user set into the mailmessage of the e-mail can be utilized as a destination of a reply to thee-mail, the reply being sent from the receiving apparatus, the replybeing returned to the e-mail address of the user, the reply not beingreturned to the e-mail address of the image data communicationapparatus.
 2. The image data communication apparatus according to claim1, wherein the panel comprises a personal computer connected to theimage data communication apparatus.
 3. The image data communicationapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the personal computer displaysan HTML document for inputting the e-mail address of the user to theimage data communication apparatus.
 4. An image data communicationapparatus connected to a network, and transmitting image data attachedto an e-mail to a receiving apparatus via the network, the e-mailincluding a mail from command and a mail message, the image datacommunication apparatus comprising: a scanner configured to scan imagedata; a panel configured to input an e-mail address of a user to theimage data communication apparatus, the panel including a start button;and a controller, in response to the start button being operated by theuser of the image data communication apparatus, being configured tocontrol the scanner to scan the image data and to convert the scannedimage data into a format for e-mail transmission, the controller beingfurther configured to set the e-mail address of the user, input by thepanel, into the mail message of the e-mail to which the image data isattached, the e-mail address of the user being distinct from an e-mailaddress of the image data communication apparatus, whereby a reply tothe e-mail can be sent to the user without requiring input of the e-mailaddress of the user at the receiving apparatus, the reply being sentfrom the receiving apparatus, the reply being returned to the e-mailaddress of the user, the reply not being returned to the e-mail addressof the image data communication apparatus.
 5. The image datacommunication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the panelcomprises a personal computer connected to the image data communicationapparatus.
 6. The image data communication apparatus according to claim5, wherein the personal computer displays an HTML document for inputtingthe e-mail address of the user to the image data communicationapparatus.
 7. An image data communication apparatus connected to anetwork, and transmitting image data attached to an e-mail to areceiving apparatus via the network, the e-mail including a mail fromcommand and a mail message, the image data communication apparatuscomprising: a scanner configured to scan image data; a panel configuredto input an e-mail address of a user to the image data communicationapparatus, the panel including a start button; and a controller, inresponse to the start button being operated by the user of the imagedata communication apparatus, being configured to control the scanner toscan the image data and to convert the scanned image data into a formatfor e-mail transmission, the controller being further configured to setthe e-mail address of the user, input by the panel, into the mailmessage of the e-mail to which the image data is attached, the e-mailaddress of the user being distinct from an e-mail address of the imagedata communication apparatus, whereby a reply to the e-mail is returnedto the e-mail address of the user, the reply not being returned to thee-mail address of the image data communication apparatus.
 8. The imagedata communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the panelcomprises a personal computer connected to the image data communicationapparatus.
 9. The image data communication apparatus according to claim8, wherein the personal computer displays an HTML document for inputtingthe e-mail address of the user to the image data communicationapparatus.
 10. An image data communication apparatus connected to anetwork, the image data communication apparatus comprising: atransmitter configured to transmit image data attached to an e-mail to areceiving apparatus via the network, the e-mail including a mail fromcommand and a mail message; a scanner configured to scan image data; apanel configured to input an e-mail address of a user to the image datacommunication apparatus, the panel including a start button; and acontroller, in response to the start button being operated by the userof the image data communication apparatus, being configured to controlthe scanner to scan the image data and to convert the scanned image datainto a format for e-mail transmission, the controller being furtherconfigured to set the mail address of the user, input by the panel, intothe mail message of the e-mail to which the image data is attached, thee-mail address of the user being distinct from an e-mail address of theimage data communication apparatus, whereby the e-mail address of theuser set into the mail message of the e-mail can be utilized as adestination of a reply to the e-mail, the reply being sent from thereceiving apparatus, the reply being returned to the e-mail address ofthe user, the reply not being returned to the e-mail address of theimage data communication apparatus.
 11. An image data communicationapparatus connected to a network, the image data communication apparatuscomprising: a transmitter configured to transmit image data attached toan e-mail to a receiving apparatus via the network, the e-mail includinga mail from command and a mail message; a scanner configured to scanimage data; a panel configured to input a mail address of a user to theimage data communication apparatus, the panel including a start button;and a controller, in response to the start button being operated by theuser of the image data communication apparatus, being configured tocontrol the scanner to scan the image data and to convert the scannedimage data into a format for e-mail transmission, the controller beingfurther configured to set the e-mail address of the user, input by thepanel, into the mail message of the e-mail to which the image data isattached, the e-mail address of the user being distinct from an e-mailaddress of the image data communication apparatus, whereby a reply tothe e-mail can be sent to the user without requiring input of the e-mailaddress of the user at the receiving apparatus, the reply being sentfrom the receiving apparatus, the reply being returned to the e-mailaddress of the user, the reply not being returned to the e-mail addressof the image data communication apparatus.
 12. An image datacommunication apparatus connected to a network, the image datacommunication apparatus comprising: a transmitter configured to transmitimage data attached to an e-mail to a receiving apparatus via thenetwork, the e-mail including a mail from command and a mail message; ascanner configured to scan image data; a panel configured to input ane-mail address of a user to the image data communication apparatus, thepanel including a start button; and a controller, in response to thestart button being operated by the user of the image data communicationapparatus, being configured to control the scanner to scan the imagedata and to convert the scanned image data into a format for e-mailtransmission, the controller being further configured to set the e-mailaddress of the user, input by the panel, into the mail message of thee-mail to which the image data is attached, the e-mail address of theuser being distinct from an e-mail address of the image datacommunication apparatus, whereby a reply to the e-mail is returned tothe e-mail address of the user, the reply not being returned to thee-mail address of the image data communication apparatus.
 13. A methodfor controlling an image data communication apparatus connected to anetwork, and transmitting image data attached to an e-mail to areceiving apparatus via the network, the e-mail including a mail fromcommand and a mail message, the image data communication apparatushaving a panel including a start button, the method comprising:inputting an e-mail address of a user to the image data communicationapparatus; scanning image data and converting the scanned image datainto a format for e-mail transmission, in response to the start buttonbeing operated by the user of the image data communication apparatus;and setting the input e-mail address of the user into the mail messageof the e-mail to which the image data is attached, the e-mail address ofthe user being distinct from an e-mail address of the image datacommunication apparatus, whereby the e-mail address of the user set intothe mail message of the e-mail can be utilized as a destination of areply to the e-mail, the reply being sent from the receiving apparatus,the reply being returned to the e-mail address of the user, the replynot being returned to the e-mail address of the image data communicationapparatus.
 14. A method for controlling an image data communicationapparatus connected to a network, and transmitting image data attachedto an e-mail to a receiving apparatus via the network, the e-mailincluding a mail from command and a mail message, the image datacommunication apparatus having a panel including a start button, themethod comprising: inputting an e-mail address of a user to the imagedata communication apparatus; scanning image data and converting thescanned image data into a format for e-mail transmission, in response tothe start button being operated by the user of the image datacommunication apparatus; and selling the input e-mail address of theuser into the mail message of the e-mail to which the image data isattached, the e-mail address of the user being distinct from an e-mailaddress of the image data communication apparatus, whereby a reply tothe e-mail can be sent to the user without requiring input of the e-mailaddress of the user at the receiving apparatus, the reply being sentfrom the receiving apparatus, the reply being returned to the e-mailaddress of the user, the reply not being returned to the e-mail addressof the image data communication apparatus.
 15. A method for controllingan image data communication apparatus connected to a network, andtransmitting image data attached to an e-mail to a receiving apparatusvia the network, the e-mail including a mail from command and a mailmessage, the image data communication apparatus having a panel includinga start button, the method comprising: inputting an e-mail address of auser to the image data communication apparatus; scanning image data andconverting the scanned image data into a format for e-mail transmission,in response to the start button being operated by the user of the imagedata communication apparatus; and setting the input e-mail address ofthe user into the mail message of the e-mail to which the image data isattached, the e-mail address of the user being distinct from an e-mailaddress of the image data communication apparatus, whereby a reply tothe e-mail is returned to the e-mail address of the user, the reply notbeing returned to the e-mail address of the image data communicationapparatus.
 16. A method for controlling an image data communicationapparatus connected to a network, and transmitting image data attachedto an e-mail, the e-mail including a mail from command and a mailmessage, the image data communication apparatus having a panel includinga start button, the method comprising: inputting an e-mail address of auser to the image data communication apparatus; scanning image data andconverting the scanned image data into a format for e-mail transmission,in response to the start button being operated by the user of the imagedata communication apparatus; setting the input e-mail address of theuser into the mail message of the e-mail to which the image data isattached, the e-mail address of the user being distinct from an e-mailaddress of the image data communication apparatus, whereby the e-mailaddress of the user set into the mail message of the e-mail can beutilized as a destination of a reply to the e-mail, the reply being sentfrom the receiving apparatus, the reply being returned to the e-mailaddress of the user, the reply not being returned to the e-mail addressof the image data communication apparatus; and transmitting the imagedata attached to the e-mail to a receiving apparatus via the network.17. A method for controlling an image data communication apparatusconnected to a network, and transmitting image data attached to ane-mail, the e-mail including a mail from command and a mail message, theimage data communication apparatus having a panel including a startbutton, the method comprising: inputting an e-mail address of a user tothe image data communication apparatus; scanning image data andconverting the scanned image data into a format for e-mail transmission,in response to the start button being operated by the user of the imagedata communication apparatus; setting the input e-mail address of theuser into the mail message of the e-mail to which the image data isattached, the e-mail address of the user being distinct from an e-mailaddress of the image data communication apparatus, whereby a reply tothe e-mail can be sent to the user without requiring input of the e-mailaddress of the user, the reply being sent from the receiving apparatus,the reply being returned to the e-mail address of the user, the replynot being returned to the e-mail address of the image data communicationapparatus; and transmitting the image data attached to the e-mail to areceiving apparatus via the network.
 18. A method for controlling animage data communication apparatus connected to a network, andtransmitting image data attached to an e-mail, the e-mail including amail from command and a mail message, the image data communicationapparatus having a panel including a start button, the methodcomprising: inputting an e-mail address of a user to the image datacommunication apparatus; scanning image data and converting the scannedimage data into a format for e-mail transmission, in response to thestart button being operated by the user of the image data communicationapparatus; setting the input e-mail address of the user into the mailmessage of the e-mail to which the image data is attached, the e-mailaddress of the user being distinct from an e-mail address of the imagedata communication apparatus, whereby a reply to the e-mail is returnedto the e-mail address of the user, the reply not being returned to thee-mail address of the image data communication apparatus; andtransmitting the image data attached to the e-mail to a receivingapparatus via the network.
 19. An image data communication apparatusconnected to a network, and transmitting image data attached to ane-mail to a receiving apparatus via the network, the e-mail including amail from command and a mail message, the image data communicationapparatus comprising: a scanner configured to scan image data; a panelconfigured to input an e-mail address of a user to the image datacommunication apparatus, the user being distinct from the image datacommunication apparatus, the panel including a start button; and acontroller, in response to the start button being operated by the userof the image data communication apparatus, being configured to controlthe scanner to scan the image data and to convert the scanned image datainto a format for e-mail transmission, the controller being furtherconfigured to set the e-mail address of the user, input by the panel,into the mail message of the e-mail to which the image data is attached,the e-mail address of the user being distinct from an e-mail address ofthe image data communication apparatus, whereby the e-mail address ofthe user set into the mail message of the e-mail can be utilized as adestination of a reply to the e-mail, the reply being sent from thereceiving apparatus, the reply being returned to the e-mail address ofthe user, the reply not being returned to the e-mail address of theimage data communication apparatus.
 20. A method for controlling animage data communication apparatus connected to a network, andtransmitting image data attached to an e-mail to a receiving apparatusvia the network, the e-mail including a mail from command and a mailmessage, the image data communication apparatus having a panel includinga start button, the method comprising: inputting an e-mail address of auser to the image data communication apparatus, the user being distinctfrom the communication apparatus; scanning image data and converting thescanned image data into a format for e-mail transmission, in response tothe start button being operated by the user of the image datacommunication apparatus; and selling the input e-mail address of theuser into the mail message of the e-mail to which the image data isattached, the e-mail address of the user being distinct from an e-mailaddress of the image data communication apparatus, whereby the e-mailaddress of the user set into the mail message of the e-mail can beutilized as a destination of a reply to the e-mail, the reply being sentfrom the receiving apparatus, the reply being returned to the e-mailaddress of the user, the reply not being returned to the e-mail addressof the image data communication apparatus.